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NHL Picks

Daily Free NHL Picks: Sharp Favorites For Tonight's Betting Action

We attack the avaliable betting NHL odds on ice. Don't miss our breakdown and analysis along with our top three recommendations to add to your NHL picks for the night.

In the frozen water-covered rinks, we have only four games to choose for NHL picks, leaving us one to eliminate for today. That turns out to be an Orginial Six matchup between Boston and the New York Rangers. Not that any of the games are that easy, but the Bruins are coming off a loss and are 2-6 in last eight contests and the Rangers are also lost their last outing and are marginally better at 3-6 in past nine.

Here are today's selections (besides Alabama -7) versus the NHL odds and beginning today will start making picks in order of preference instead of rotation numbers for those who would prefer to know that.

Los Angeles End Detroit's Road Win Streak
Detroit (22-20 SU) has been fantastic on this six-game road trip, winning the first four, with superb defense (just five goals allowed) and just enough offense (four one-goal victories). The Red Wings will use former starter Jimmy Howard in net for the first time on this trip, as a blazing hot Petr Mrazek was brilliant last night again in 2-1 victory over Anaheim, but probably needs a blow. This move was also calculated by the coaches, as Howard has shined in his last six battles against Los Angeles with a 5-1-0 record and 1.65 goals-against average. It should be noted Howard has not faced them in over 14 months.

The Kings (26-15 SU) are off a rare home loss, falling to St. Louis 2-1 Saturday, which was only the fourth time in 17 games they have failed to notch a victory at the Staples Center. L.A. is just average offense club, ranked 16th in the league at 2.58 goals a game and scored a frosty six times in last four outings.

Will Florida Ever Lose Again?
Florida (26-16 SU) has a won 12 in a row and really has not come close to stumbling, even if a half their wins have been by one goal. This winning streak is now the longest in the NHL since Pittsburgh strung together 15 straight four years ago. This has gone beyond just a hot streak also, as the Panthers have been victorious in 18 of last 21 tilts.

Though goalie Roberto Luongo has made one trip back to the Rogers Centre after playing almost eight seasons with Vancouver (16-26 SU), this one will have a different feel. Made the scapegoat for the Canucks never winning the Stanley Cup when they had a chance from 2009-12 (sometimes deservedly), Luongo has nine of the wins in this stretch, posting a 1.31 GAA, with two shutouts for the longest win streak of his career.

After oddsmakers sent out Florida as -135 road faves, the number has declined on the money line, and I will not play hero betting against a club that is 11-1 off a road winner.

San Jose Douses Out Flames
The Sharks have only won five of the last 12 encounters, but don't blame Joe Pavelski or Brent Burnsfor their woes. This San Jose (19-20 SU) pair has done more than their fair share, with Pavelski registering 15 points (nine goals and six assists) in those 12 contests and defenseman Burns with 14 points (7 and 7) in only nine affairs.

San Jose is back on the road, where they have played better all year with 13-8 record, being much better offensively (3.0 vs. 2.5 GAG) away from home. This could be the opening the Sharks need at Calgary (19-21 SU).

After winning a franchise-best 11 straight at the Saddledome, the Flames are 1-3 since, finding the back of the net just five times. Calgary did open as a -115 home favorite, but by mid-morning had gone to a Pick. With the Sharks having lost 4-2 in Calgary on Dec. 8th, they are 6-1 away revenging a road loss the last two seasons.